Republicans and Democrats at the Minnesota Legislature have tentative agreement on a state aid package for COVID-closed bars, restaurants and other businesses — but the deal is at risk because they can’t agree on extending unemployment benefits for hospitality workers. House Democratic Majority Leader Ryan Winkler says, “We are not going to help businesses and then screw the very workers who got laid off from those businesses. We need to include unemployment insurance extension with any package we pass.”
Republican Senator Eric Pratt responds, “We understand that this isn’t just about business, that we have employees that have been laid off that are hurting as well. And those discussions are continuing, but we do have agreement on at least this part of the package.”
Lawmakers and the governor are trying to get a deal in time for Monday’s special session.